Nova Carbon M !

Nova Carbon over Andøya, northern Norway	Photo by Nova

Intro Build up Take off Speed range Performance Handling Security Summary

IntroBack

This glider has recieved a great deal of publicity in the recent moths.
Rumours had it that this glider sholuld be able to compete head on with dedicated high performance gliders. Haven`t we all heard this before.....

A few words on my prevoious experience.
I have flown since 1986, and have about 1050 hours total airtime. I have flown most gliders available for many years.
I have 3 years experience as a test pilot for falhawk gliders, and has written many reports in Norwegian.
10 years in the competiton environment. 2 of those as a national team member.

I think that it is possible to get a fairly good impression on a glider, despite low airtime.
Given the pilot has long experience, and proper equipment.

Only time can give the whole story, so look at this report as a " first impression "
I have flown 3 times and 30 minutes prior to this test

This report is by request of our Norwegian representative of nova.

Life is good at a takeoff like this, Andøya- northern Norway. 24 / 01 / 01	Andøya is located at 68`latitude

The marketing is towards a high performing 1-2 glider.
I have chosen to compare it to my own nova Vertex 26, a glider I truly admire for its outstanding allround performance.
I have 100+ hours on the Vertex.

NOVA CARBON M : DHV 1 / 2
NOVA VERTEX 26 : DHV 2 / 3

New backpack

The quality of the sacks nova have delivered are average.
This time it seems that they want to step up on quality / comfort.
This new design gives a very good " technical" look. Good shoulderstraps, and a real hipbelt. This is good !

Very spacious, and gives ample room for all the stuff you need ( a lot...!!) Designated room for the helmet on top of bag.

The carrying comfort are OK, but just that....It looks a bit better than it feels.

Carrying comfort : Average
Quality / function : Very good

The new backpack : Large and spacious	The new improved carrying system

Build upBack

First time I pulled it up, I thought: this is a gentle one..Rounded shape, moderate linelenght, moderate aspect ratio.

The same impression with the vertex was that of a hot, demanding ship - Sharper curves, long lines and high aspect ratio.
Experience has shown that the Vertex is a rather docile and gentle glider, so I was ancious to try the Carbon.......

Buildup is similar to that of the Vertex, with the exeption that the carbon not having a reinforced trailing edge.

I really like the feeling of having the mylar reinforcment.
Several times I have experienced shock-openings so hard that I am sure something will tear........Maybe it`s just me....

Main lines from 1 riser : Not very much resistance here !	Leading and trailing edge of Carbon : Trailing edge not reinforced

The Carbon utilises few main lines with a relatively high number of cascading lines.
This gives a higher total of 433 meters compared to Vertex`s 356.
The Vertex has thicker main lines, and fewer Cascading with less anchoring to the canopy.

This time nova has developed new black risers instead of the old yellow ones we all know...
Roumours had it that the old ones would stretch over time....mine having a 5mm longer A riser..........

The new ones look good - made of a firmer webbing. Split A risers for easy big ears.

The new risers of Nova : firmer webbing, same buildup as before

Summary points of build up

Vertex : Perfect built ( possibly with the exeption of the new risers )

Carbon : Lacks reinforced trailing edge, The lines are somewhat thin and soft - easy knot development.

Both sails have an outstanding good finish - exccellent work !

Take offBack

Carbon : Very easy, forward and backward. Smooth and even pullup.
Perfect !

Easy departure

Vertex : Demanding - Ok backwards, but in low wind, it hesitates to rise, and makes you go crazy....
Especially if the slope is flat, and the wind is zero
....This problem has been solved by me, utilising a system for lowering the AOA on pullup.
Vertex owners, email me for the " recipe "
Demanding

Easy departure.

Speedrange ( GPS average measurment, with 73 kg nude weight, around 95 kg total )Back

Carbon : Hands off : ca. 35 km/t
Full speed : ca. 50 km/t
Min speed : ca. 23 km/t
Vingload : 4.02 kg/m2

Vertex : Hands off : ca. 36 km/t
Full speed : ca. 51 km/t
Min speed : ca. 25 km/t
Vingload : 3.9 kg/m2

Remakably, the Carbon gives the Vertex a race to the finishing line !

The Vertex is the winner by a small margin.

Thypical of Carbon : Many cascading lines from few main lines.

PerformanceBack

I think I am a little to short on airtime on the glider to make a conclusive judgement.
I can say however, that the difference between the Carbon and the Vertex is marginal
The basis for this, is the Brauniger IQ GPS with glide and speed readout.

Long experience has showed me that the Vertex glide at a glide angle of 8+

The carbon gives remarkably good performance for a glider of this classification !

Full pedal gives an increase of around 13 km/h, the same as Vertex
Performance remains good at higher speed

Speedpolar of Nova Vertex. Carbon marginally below in performace.
Source : Nova

Summary
Carbon : Probably the best performing 1-2 glider today !
Vertex : Marginally better than the carbon, and still competitive as a high performer.

HandlingBack

Carbon : It has the best handling I have ever experienced !
I diden`t think such handling could be made possible on today`s gliders.
Light pressure and superior feedback.

It will fly heartpounding wingovers, and spirals readily.
Flat, low sink 360`s - no problems ! Probably thermals like a dream.

High pitch stability makes it easy to control when landing or close to the ground.
It doesen`t have the Vertex`s ability to make long fast dives for the ground.

Roll stability is more dynamic, witch is a factor to the superior handling. Not nervous, but sensible.

The gliders energy feels average ( ability to climb after dives ). The " feeling " is soft/sensitive.

It has very easy landing characteristics !

Vertex : This is quite the opposite - feels slow and sluggish on first flights. Extensive experience has confirmed
that this is not a FUN glider, but more of a serious cross country machine.

When you have adapted to its ways, you will allways be the on top of the gaggle !
It climbs extremely well inn all kinds of lift, with a curious ability to selv center in thermals

Marginal soaring - Vertex RULES !!

Pitch stability is something you have to get used to - Secure and stable in turbulence,
but don`t try to be sloppy when you are close to the ground - it can dive into the ground fron 10 meters.
It can dive fast and long with slow self pullup.

Roll stability is rock steady, giving the reason for the rather slow and unike handling.

It carries high energy, for impressive climbs on landing...The "feeling" is hard and rigid

Can be demanding on difficult landings, due to the slow handling / high energy / pitch characteristics

Carbon M : Aspect ratio 4.1	Vertex 26 : Aspect ratio 4.37

SecurityBack

For the low airtime on the glider, I will try to share my impressions.

I have tried the following :

It is clear that you have a higher margin of safety on the Carbon. It tolerates greater pilot error, and can be flown more sloppy than the Vertex.
The upcoming thermal season will tell the rest of the tale.

I must stress that my Vertex is the most well mannered glider I have owned to this day.
The point is that you must remember to play WITH the weather, not against it, as many pilots seem to think that their " safe " 1-2 glider will save the day,
no matter what conditions they encounter.

NO glider is safe in turbulent conditions at wind speeds in eccess of 25 km/h.

The Carbon surely deserves its 1-2 rating !

SummaryBack

The NOVA CARBON are in many ways a revolutionary design. It unites performance, handling and safety in a way that truly impresses me.

In many ways, it is just as good as my Vertex - AND - it has superior handling both in the air and on the ground.
I am very pleased with my Vertex, however, it now comes in an improved version........

Given the choice, there are no doubt - it must be the CARBON !
A truly superior glider !

+ Performs like most high performers
+ Handling to make your smile muscle cramp - A serious FUN glider.
+ Exccellent ground handling makes it a good glider also for paramotoring
+ High security reserves
+ Superior finish / second hand value.

I hope for - Thicker lines and reinforced trailing edge.

A glider for a large majority of pilots. It will give LOT`S of pure flying fun !

I would advice anyone interested to try for themselves to see iff all this bragging is true...

More info :

© Lars Sletten

Latest update !

On this weekend, I got the oppurtunity to try; wingtip to wingtip, Carbon and Vertex. Same pilot weight, still air.

Over a period of around 1 minute hands off glide, there were NO practical difference in speed, glide and sinkrate.
We flew beside each other, no more than 5 meters apart.
The Carbon seemed to have an edge when turning thight on a marginal slope.

Carbon and Vertex : Confirmed ! - no practical difference in performance.

Paragliding in - 15 deg.celcius.....Storbakkan near the town of Harstad
Lars Sletten - Finn Roar Kuntze - Håvard Tollefsen - Tommy Sørensen - Odd Are Abrahamsen

Photo : Johnny Nilsen